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Special Education Teacher Degree - Online and Campus Programs

Special Education Teachers Do Special Jobs

Anne Sullivan taught Helen Keller despite Keller's blindness, deafness, and lack of formal education. Keller later earned a bachelor's degree, making Sullivan one of the first special education teachers. Special education teachers must be patient, understanding, intuitive, and willing to work long hours to motivate their students and understand their unique needs. As a special education teacher, you work with disabled youth, including students with physical, mental, and emotional handicaps, and you're responsible for preparing IEP--individual education programs.

Your Special Education Teaching Degree

Every state requires special education teachers to be licensed. They must complete special education teacher training programs and hold at least a bachelor's degree, though some states require a master's degree. If you pursue a bachelor's degree in special education teaching, you can expect your course to take 130 credit hours. Program classes are likely to include:

Introduction to Learning Disorders
Education of Children with Learning Problems
Academic and Behavioral Assessment

Employment Outlook for Special Education Teachers

School districts across the country are bringing students with disabilities into mainstream school populations. With more disabled students, the need for special education teachers is growing. In 2008, there were approximately 473,000 special education teacher positions in the U.S. Most of these professionals worked in the public school system, but special education teacher training also can be put to use in:

Child care support services
Individual and family services
Offices of health practitioners
Specialty hospitals

Special education teachers working in elementary schools in 2008 had median annual wages of $50,020. Median wages for those working in high schools were $51,340.

Featured Schools

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Arizona State University Online

Why ASU? At ASU, learning online is effective, flexible and smart. Every program delivered online is developed by the same excellent faculty who teach on our campuses, and is designed to engage students and professors in meaningful ways. The result? Our students are an integral part of a New American University.

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Online

Selected Programs:

Grad Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorder
MEd Autism Spectrum Disorders
MEd in Teaching and Learning - Gifted Education Focus
MEd in Early Childhood Education

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Ashford University

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You’ve found Ashford University, an evolution in higher education that offers relevant and engaging degrees online, as well as a supportive community where you belong.

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Online

Selected Programs:

MA/Education - Special Education (non-licensure)
MA/Education - Culturally Responsive Education
BA/Education Studies
MA/Education - No Specialization
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The University of Texas Permian Basin

Pursue your bachelor's degree online with the The University of Texas Permian Basin.

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Online

Selected Programs:

Master of Arts in Special Education

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Western Governors University

Online. Accelerated. Affordable. Accredited.

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Online

Selected Programs:

M.S. Special Education (K-12)
B.A. Special Education
Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Preparation Program (K-8)
M.A. Teaching (K-8)
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Walden University

Earn a respected bachelor's degree, master's degree, or Ph.D. online at Walden University.

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Online

Selected Programs:

Doctor of Education - Special Education
Ed.S. in Special Education - General
M.S.Ed - Special Education (non-licensure) (Grades K-12)
Ph.D. in Education - Mixed-Model - Special Education
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Grand Canyon University

Earn your degree online with Grand Canyon University. We offer approximately 100 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs in a variety of fields that can be completed 100% online.

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Selected Campus Locations:

Online

Selected Programs:

Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Special Education
M.Ed. in Special Education: Certified Special Educators (Does not lead to initial teacher licensure)
B.S. in Elementary Education / Special Education (Dual Major)
M.Ed. in Special Education: Cross-Categorical (Does not lead to initial teacher licensure)
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Liberty University

We keep our tuition affordable because it is an integral part of the overall mission for our university.

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Online

Selected Programs:

M.Ed. - Program Specialist in Gifted Specialist
M.Ed. Teaching and Learning - Special Education
MA in Teaching - Special Education
AA in Education (Non-Licensure)
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Concordia University Online

Work toward your degree online with Concordia University.

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Selected Campus Locations:

Online

Selected Programs:

M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction: The Inclusive Classroom (SPED)
Special Education (Middle Level/High School)
B.S. in Early Childhood Education (Birth - 5 Years)
M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction: Curriculum & Instruction: Early Childhood Education
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